Defense Technology International - June 2008 - (Page 58)

THE NET DAVID C. WALSH what is the program of record in the Defense Dept. that is going to adA profusion of interoperability Some experts suspect that resis- dress network management at the concepts for linking warﬁghters has tance within the Defense Dept. is operational and tactical level, where emerged in recent years. The biggest responsible for the slowing of net- you’ve got mobile users moving impediments they face are bandwidth work-centric transformation. Shea around and trying to connect to diflimitations, frequency allocation, in- disagrees: “We don’t understand all ferent nodes?” consistent electronic countermeasures the implications about the different A lot of good things are happenand a lack of common standards. This architectures we’re talking about.” ing, Shea points out, including adlast wreaks havoc with command, A robust communications or net- justments to plans for the military’s control, communications and com- working infrastructure is required Global Information Grid. “But from puter (C4) systems, and with attempts “for everyone to get access to data,” where I sit, it’s not because of any to manage battle space. he notes. “We haven’t figured out grand design. What I see are pieceThree years ago, then-Marine Lt. how to stitch this all together, from meal efforts as opposed to an inteGen. Robert Shea, who directed C 4 the tactical to the operational and the grated strategy across the services.” Systems for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, operational to the strategic. It works Shea doubts these efforts can be remarked, “We are a global force and ﬁne at the strategic level where there smoothly integrated within a larger framework, and he technology is rapidly is concerned that changing. Synchrothe Pentagon seems nizing and managunaware of “the ing complex technoend-state design.” logical changes, yet Shea wants to ensuring interopersee “architectural ability, is a major work that gives the challenge.” services some vecShea is now executive vice president tor and direction in of corporate stratwhich to shoot.” To egy and solutions date, work has “fallfor Smartronix Inc., en short of what we based in California, need,” he says, notMd. And he is not ing that the Tactical optimistic about the Satellite and Joint outlook for C 4 inTactical Radio Systeroperability. tem programs have “The spectrum is“slipped.” sue is still with us; Shea says the anit’s going to plague nual C 4 interoperability tests sponus for a long time,” Soldier operates a rapid aerostat initial deployment system sored by DISA and Shea says. “Have for base defense. Access to bandwidth for network-centric the Joint Chief of there been improve- operations is a critical issue. Staff ’s Coalition ments? Some work is being done under Lt. Gen. Charlie are multiple paths of connectivity,” Warrior Interoperability DemonCrooms’ leadership at DISA (Defense Shea says. “But as you go from the stration are important. However, Information Systems Agency), and the operational to the tactical level and he doesn’t “see what the end-state Army is doing some things, but this is connectivity gets sparse, there’s the design is of each one of the service issue of where you place your data efforts [or] what the process is to ena huge issue, a sore spot.” With regard to bandwidth limits, and whether it’s going to be put in sure they work together. [The servicShea says, “Spectrum is finite, and a location that assures enterprise- es] seem to be going off in their own we’re seeing more things being crowd- wide access.” The services, moreover, directions, hoping it can be stitched ed into it.” A more significant chal- “seem to be developing their own ar- together. The end-state isn’t static; it keeps moving. That’s a challenge.” lenge, in his view, is that “what may chitectures.” be a usable portion of the frequency Should there be a command auShea acknowledges that some tacspectrum in one part of a country may tical-level products ﬁll interoperabil- thority overseeing interoperability? not be usable in another.” ity gaps. “But, when you get multiple Joint-service and Pentagon-level Shea also stresses that combat the- users out there, are they going to be work is underway, Shea says. “And aters are problematic. “As we found stepping over each other?” He says it there is a review going on now lookin Iraq, [communications frequency] is is a matter of spectrum management ing at how to better put these pronot as regulated as in other countries. and network management. grams together and integrate what’s “When you move around the bat- going on. I’m not sure it’s going to Interference creeps in because there’s no mechanism to adjudicate the al- tle space, what nodes are you go- take us where we want to go, but it’s ing to connect to?” Shea asks. “And a step in the right direction.” I location of spectrum.” COMMUNICATION SLOWDOWN U.S. ARMY 58 DEFENSE TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL JUNE 2008 AviationWeek.com/dti http://AviationWeek.com/dti

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Defense Technology International - June 2008

Defense Technology International - June 2008 Contents Around the World Science Watch Tech Watch Basic Black Self-Defense Fire-Resistant Perfezione Hyperspeed Trial Big Sky Cashing In Digital Links Hang Ten Sea Change Programs Update Two Steps Back Direct Hit Staying Power Potent Stinger Do No Harm Guard Duty The Net Cutting Edge First Person In Review Insight

Defense Technology International - June 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.